Jaundice in babies is surprisingly common – more than half of newborns get it and it’s more common in babies born before term. This largely mild and harmless condition usually fades away without any treatment, but in very rare cases it can become serious. Here’s the lowdown on signs to look out for and when to get advice.

What is newborn jaundice?

Jaundice is caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood – a yellow substance our bodies produce when old red blood cells are broken down, ready to make new ones.

Babies often get jaundice because they have lots of these oxygen-carrying red blood cells zooming about in their blood which are broken down and replaced frequently. On top of that, their young livers are still developing, so they’re less effective at getting rid of bilirubin.

Babies who are breastfed are more likely to have newborn jaundice which can persist for several weeks after birth. As breast feeding brings many health benefits you should continue to breastfeed.

ED-tips

Our Expert Says...

By the time a baby is about two weeks old, their liver will be more developed and better able to process bilirubin, helping the jaundice symptoms to pass

Is newborn jaundice serious?

Rarely, if bilirubin levels rise to very high levels, it can cause brain damage and so it is important that jaundice is spotted and monitored.

If the jaundice is severe a doctor will examine the baby and check that they are feeding normally, and that they are bright and alert and that there are no signs of infection. In rare cases, where the jaundice is getting worse with time or is not going away as expected, an underlying liver disease may be the cause and further tests will be needed.

How can I tell if my baby has jaundice?

While the most common sign is a yellow tinge on their skin and the whites of their eyes, the palms of their hands and the soles of their feet can also be affected.

The yellowing of the skin usually starts on their head and face, before spreading to their chest and stomach, legs and arms. You may find their skin looks extra yellow if you press on the tip of their nose or their forehead.

If your baby has a darker skin tone and the yellow is harder to spot, check other areas, like inside their mouth, the soles of their feet and the palms of their hands.

You also need to keep an eye out for dark, yellow urine – your baby's wee should be colourless. And you might notice your baby doing very pale poos – normally they’re surprisingly yellow or orange.

How is jaundice diagnosed?

If your baby seems to have jaundice, the bilirubin levels in their blood will be tested using a simple blood test, or a small device called a ‘bilirubinometer’, which beams light on to your baby's skin. Only 1 in 20 babies with jaundice need treatment for high levels of bilirubin and reassuringly the treatment is usually very effective.

How is jaundice treated?

There are two kinds of treatment, which are both carried out in hospital:

Phototherapy – a common treatment where a special type of light is used on the skin to alter the bilirubin into a form your baby’s tiny liver can break down more easily

An exchange transfusion – in more severe cases this can be performed. It is a type of blood transfusion where small amounts of your baby's blood are removed and replaced with blood from a matching donor

When should I get help?

If your baby develops signs of jaundice after this, get advice as soon as possible from your midwife, health visitor or GP. If your baby has jaundice and is being monitored at home, you’ll need to seek advice urgently if they don’t want to feed or their symptoms seem to be getting worse.

The information on this website is for general information and it is not intended as, nor should it be considered as a substitute for seeing your own GP, midwife or healthcare professional. You are advised to seek professional medical advice if you have any concerns or suspect you have a medical problem.